Andy Cohen is in the clear after his battle with coronavirus. He has reunited with his son Benjamin. He has also returned to work, hosting his radio show and Watch What Happens Live from his apartment via video chat. Now, that he is back to feeling healthy, Andy wanted to give back and help the people currently battling coronavirus.
There is a call coronavirus survivors to donate plasma, which is full of antibodies. Andy tried to do his part with a donation. However, he was denied because of his sexuality. Now, he’s speaking out about the discrimination and calling for a change.
Andy talked about this during last night’s episode of Watch What Happens Live. E! News reported that Andy shared, “I signed up for a program for COVID-19 survivors where you could donate plasma, which is rich in antibodies, to those still battling the virus.”
Then, he revealed, I was told that, due to antiquated and discriminatory guidelines by the FDA to prevent HIV, I am ineligible to donate blood because I’m a gay man. Even the new relaxed rules require gay men to abstain from sex for three months, whether they’re in a monogamous relationship or not before giving blood, though no such blanket restrictions exist for people of other sexual orientations.” He also mentioned that the FDA has stated that there is “an urgent need for plasma from [coronavirus] survivors,” yet here he is, unable to donate.
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Andy continued, “All donated blood is screened for HIV and a rapid HIV test can be done in 20 minutes or less. So, why the three-month rule? Why are members from my community being excluded from helping out when so many people are sick and dying? Maybe because we’re valuing stigma over science? I don’t know. My blood could save a life but instead it’s over here boiling.”
GLAAD thanked Andy for speaking out about this and shared a link to a petition, hoping to change these regulations.
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Reality Tea recommends that all readers comply with CDC guidelines and remain as isolated as possible during this urgent time. Visit the Centers for Disease Control at CDC.gov or the World Health Organization at Who.int for the latest information on the coronavirus and learn what you can do to stop the spread.
TELL US- WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE BAN ON GAY MEN DONATING PLASMA, ESPECIALLY WITH THE MAJOR NEED FOR PLASMA AT THIS TIME? WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT ANDY USING HIS PLATFORM TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE?
[Photo Credit: Charles Sykes/Bravo]
